Safety mechanism.



M. C. CARUOLO. SAFETY MECHANISM A'Prucmon mm APR. 2a. 1916.

I Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

MICHAEL C. CABUOLO, OF T SAFETY MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

HORNTON RHODE ISLAND.

Patented Oct. a, 1916.

Application filed April 26, 1916. Serial N 0. 93,632.

to check the momentum of the vehicle in its advance in case of a collision; to reverse the direction of travel of the same at the instant of collision; to prevent excessive travel in the reversed condition; and to atmin these ends in a structure which is simple to construct and operate, and adapted for facile removal for the substitution of tires.

To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and combinations of parts as fall within the scope of the appended claims. a

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevationv of the chassis or lower body portion of a vehicle equipped with my novel mechanism, Fig

of the mechanism, omitting the vehicle body except the tubes, Fig. 3, an elevationsimilar to Fig. 1, but depressed position. 7

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

In the drawings A represents the chassis or body of an automobile or other vehicle, carrying the usual front and rear axles B and C, with their respective wheels I) and Fixed-to the bottom of the chassis or vehicle body, at each side of the center thereof, are longitudinally disposed tubes or sleeves D provided near their rear ends with showing the device in longitudinal slots J. Slida-bly mounted in the sleeves are the side bars 6 of a frame E having a forward end rod 7, and, in the present instance, a rearend rod 9. The length of the frameE isvin excess of the length of the body of the vehicle, so that the forward end portion of the former projects some distance in front of the latter. Fixed to portion f of the frame by sleeves it or otherwise is a vertical screen or bufier member- H of rectangular or other shape. The described frame operates, through collision, to auto-' 2, a bottom plan suitable connections, guard frames pivotally attached to each end of the rear axle C,

and as these frames and connections are of similar construction, a description of one set will serve forboth. Each frame I comprises parallel open side plates 73 of a generally triangular shape. The upper portion of each plate is a. substantially straight strip or rod 7', andthe lower portion consists of downwardly converging strips or rods i and i having their intermediate portions upwardly curved, and the portions 4' being longer than the portion or leg j.

The side plates are joined by one or more transverse plates or bars K. In the front apices of the plates 5 are pins Z on which are mounted rollers L. In the rear apices of the plates at the points of intersection of the portions j and 7' are transverse pins m on which are mounted rollers or Wheels M. The rearmost apices of the plates i are provided with open bearings or openings n adapted to receive the axle C, and closed by locking latches N pivoted at 0', by which construction the frame I may 'be removed, when desired, from the axle. The bearings n'have suliicient play to allow the wheels 0 to move into or out of contact'with the rollers M. Since the plates 2' are located on each side of both wheels 0 this disengaging means is convenient when it is desired to substitute a tire.

In 'an intennediate'portionof both the in-' s on the frame bar 6. The retions of the frames I which oscillate on the rear axle.

The operation of my devise is as follows: The vehicle advances with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The frames I are positioned horizontally with the rollers elevated above the ground. The

concave character of portions 7' and 7' of the frames protect the same from road obstructions, not only their elevation but by their inclined form. The forward projection of the frame E serves to bring the member H into contact with any obstruction. diately forces the frame E rearwardly rel: atively to the vehicle, and as shown in Fig.

3, the rods P downwardly oscillate the by reason of increasing This contact immeradius of the wheels including the tires,

frame E being at this so that immediately the rollers engage the ground the forward momentum of the vehicle coiiperates to raise the wheels from the ground into contact with the rollers which are thereby rotated so that the machineis moved rearwardly, the end 9 of the instant projecting to the rear .of the vehicle. If at this instant the portion 9 contact with some obstruction the frames 1 are forced upwardly and the wheels return to the ground where they operate withv much diminished speed forwardly. Thus the vehicle is either stopped without anyrearward travel whatevenin case of less violent collisions; and in case of more violent collision, moves rearwardly; and in some cases, may vibrate first'rearwardly and then forwardly.

It will be understood that auxiliary manually operative means maybe employed if desired to reciprocate the horizontal frame E, but such means it will be understood are strictly .auxiliary to the means herein shown.

l. The combination with the body, axle, and wheels of a vehicle, frames pivotally mounted on the axle adjacent the wheels, andof greater length than the radius of the wheels, rollers on the uard frames, and means on the body operable by the momentum of the body for vibrating the guard frames whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engagement with the rollers.

52. The combination with the body, axle,

and wheels of a Vehicle, of a frame slidably mounted on the body and pro ecting forwardly thereof, guard frames pivotally mounted on the axle adjacent the wheels and projecting forwardly thereof, rollers on the projecting portions of the guide frames, and rods pivotally connecting the first frame with the guard frames whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engagement with the rollers.

3. The combination with and wheels .of a vehicle, of vibratory guard frames pivotally mounted on the axle inclosing the wheels and extending forwardly thereof, rollers upon operable by the momentum of the body for vibrating the frames whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engagement with the rollers.

of vibratory guard the body, axle,

the frames, and slid-- ment with the rollers.

. meagre gagement with the rollers.

5,. The combination with thebody, axle and wheels of a Vehicle, of vibratory guard frames surrounding the wheels and provided at their rear portions with open bearings adapted to receive the axles, latches on the frames closing the bearings, rollers on the frames, and slidable means onthe body operatively connected with the frames for actuating the frames whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engagement with the rollers.

6. The combination with the body, axle, and wheels of a vehicle, of a horizontal frame slidably mounted in the body and projecting forwardly thereof, a' guard upon the forward end of the frame, guard frames pivotally mounted on the axles and extending forwardly-thereof, rollers on the guard frames, and rods pivotally connecting the first frame with the guard frames whereby the. wheels are elevated from the ground and brplught into dperative engagement with the ro ers.

7. The combination with the body, axle,

ner to the axle and having their other two corners extending forwardly of the wheels, rollers in the said two corners, and pivotal members connecting the first frame with the guard frame whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engagement with the rollers.

8. The combination with the body, axle, and wheels of a vehicle, of vibratory guard frames pivotally mounted on the-axle adj acent the wheels, rollers on guard frames, a horizontal frame slidably-mounted in the body, and rods pivotally connecting the horizontal frame with the guard frames whereby the wheels are elevated from the ground and brought into operative engage- In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

MICHAEL C. GARUULU. v 

